Tape canister

ABSTRACT

A canister for storing a tape reel, comprising a support or shell member of generally cup-shaped configuration and a split sealing ring positioned on the inner periphery of the rim portion of the support member and having a handle portion at one end projecting outwardly through the rim portion for manipulation by an operator so that the ring may be selectively expanded and contracted; the radially inner peripheral portion of the split ring has a width approximating the internal distance between the spaced reel flanges so that the ring may be expanded to allow passage of the leading flange of the reel and thereafter contracted to seat the radially inner peripheral portion of the sealing ring between the spaced flanges and thereby positively but readily releasably secure the reel within the canister.

United States Patent Osojnak [451 Mar. 21, 1972 [54] TAPE CANISTER [7 21 Inventor: Boris M. Osojnak, Birmingham, Mich.

[731 Assignee: Engineered Data Products, Inc., Femdale, I

' Mich.

[221 Filed: July 28, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 845,298

[52] U.S. Cl. ..206/52 F, 220/55 AN [51 Int. Cl. ..B65d 45/32, 865d 85/67 [58] Field of Search ..206/53, 52, 52 F; 220/55 0 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,440,853 5/1948 Follick ..206/53 3,209,904 10/1965 Mathus et al. ....206/52 F 3,251,462 5/1966 Hultgren ....206/52 F 3,424,303 1/1969 Osojnak ..206/53 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Donald L. Wood [57] ABSTRACT A canister for storing a tape reel, comprising a support or shell member of generally cup-shaped configuration and a split sealing ring positioned on the inner periphery of the rim portion of the support member and having a handle portion at one end projecting outwardly through the rim portion for manipulation by an operator so that the ring may be selectively expanded and contracted; the radially inner peripheral portion of the split ring has a width approximating the internal distance between the spaced reel flanges so that the ring may be expanded to allow passage of the leading flangeof the reel and thereafter. contracted to seat the radially inner peripheral portion of the sealing ring between the spaced flanges and thereby positively but readily releasably secure the reel within the canister.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figires Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,388

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 iNVENTOR.

077.? M 0.90 k/4X i ITTdF/VEX TAPE CANISTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to storage devices for reels of film or tape. More particularly, it relates to storage devices for reels of computer tape. Computer tape is typically stored in a wound condition on reels of the type including spaced circular flanges interconnected by a circular hub. These reels, in turn, are stored primarily by one of two general types of storage devices.

One type of reel storage device comprises a two-part canister in which the reel is placed in one part of the canister and the other part is then fitted over the first part in telescopic fashion to form a complete enclosure for the reel. While these canister type devices are generally satisfactory, they require a rather complex latching construction to hold the two parts releasably together, thereby creating a high initial cost, and they create a relatively large overall package width, thereby increasing the amount of storage space required for each reel.

The other type of storage device in popular usage comprises a flexible band which is adapted to be wrapped in sealing relationship around the periphery of the reel flanges and which is releasably held in its encircling relationship by coacting latch means carried on the opposite ends of the band. These sealing bands have also been generally satisfactory; however, the band does not provide as much actual physical protection for the reel as the canister type, the reel hub support provided by the canister type, is generally preferable to the circumferential reel support provided by the band, when hung by a hook in a suspended position the band tends to pull away from the reel flanges to destroy the seal, the band is perhaps more susceptible to failure by fatigue or rupture than the canister type, and the coacting latch elements on the opposite ends of the band tend to fail or become wholly or partially inoperative after extended usage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved storage device for reels of computer tape.

A more specific object is to provide a storage device for reels of computer tape which combines the primary advantages of the two-piece canister type of device with the primary advantages of the flexible band type of device.

Conversely, it is an object of the invention to provide a storage device for computer tape reels which eliminates the disadvantages of both the two-piece canister type and the Hexible band type. I

A more specific object is to provide a storage device for reels of computer tape which combines the narrow package width and low cost of the flexible band type of sealing device with the superior reel protection characteristics, the superior durability, and the superior sealing capabilities of the twopiece canister type of device.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a storage device for computer tape reels which requires less time for insertion and/or removal of the reels than either the two-piece canister type or the flexible band type.

The storage device of the invention is generally of the canister type. However, instead of two telescopically coacting cup-shaped canister pieces defining a completely enclosed canister, the invention device comprises a single cup-shaped support member with an annular sealing member positioned around the inner periphery of the rim portion of the support member. The sealing member has a normal inner diameter slightly less than that of the flanges of the reel. The annular sealing member is expandable to allow passage of the flanges so that the sealing means may expand to allow insertion of the reel into the canister and may thereafter contract to its normal diameter to sealingly hold the reel within the canister.

In the disclosed embodiment, the sealing member comprises a split ring positioned around the inner periphery of the rim portion of the support member, and the -rim portion includes means mounting the ring thereon for resilient, expansible movement relative to the rim portion to a diameter to allow passage of the reel flanges. One end of the split ring is anchored in the rim portion and the other end of the ring includes a handle portion extending outwardly through the rim portion for manipulation by an operator so that the effective diameter of the ring may be selectively varied by selective movement of the handle portion. The radially inner portion of the sealing ring has a width approximating the distance between the spaced reel flanges so that the ring may be expanded by manipulation of the ring handle portion to allow passage of the leading flange of the reel whereafter the handle portion may be released to allow the radially inner portion of the ring to seat firmly between the spaced reel flanges and thereby positively secure the reel within the canister.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a canister according to the invention showing its coaction with a tape reel;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the canister of FIG. 1 with portions of the canister broken away to reveal constructional details;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary cross sectional views taken on lines 3-3, 4-4, 55 and 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of the arrow 7 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The tape reel 10 seen fragmentarily in FIG. I is of known construction and includes a pair of spaced circular flanges l2 interconnected by a hollow central hub 14 around which computer tape or the like may be wound for storage purposes.

The canister 16 for receipt of reel 10 comprises a unitary support member 18 and annular sealing means 20 carried by support member 18. Support member 18 is preferably formed in a molding operation from a relatively rigid generally transparent plastics material such, for example, as a general purpose polystyrene. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, support member 18 includes a generally circular base portion 22 having a central circular aperture 24; an annular rim portion 26 upstanding from one side of base portion 22 and extending around the outer periphery of the base portion; a central hollow hub portion 28 upstanding from the same side of the base portion; and an annular flange portion 27 extending radially inwardly from the edge of rim portion 26 remote from base portion 22. Hub portion 28 and rim portion 26 are concentrically disposed with respect to each other and with respect to the central axis of the canister and define therebetween an annular cavity 30 for receipt of reel 10.

Sealing means 20 comprises a split ring 32 positioned around the inner periphery of rim portion 26. Ring 32 is preferably formed in a molding operation from a suitable plastics material such, for example, as polystyrene.

Ring 32, as best seen in FIG. 3, is generally T-shaped in transverse cross section and includes a radially inner stem portion 34 and a bar portion 36. Stem portion 34 has an axial width slightly less than the internal distance between reel flanges l2, l2 and is centrally cut away at 38 to reduce its bulk and weight. Bar portion 36 has an overall axial width slightly less than the internal distance between ring flange portion 27 and ring base portion 22 and extends axially to either side of stem portion 34 to define annular flange seats 35 at the radially inner face of each such axial extension. Ring 32 further includes a circumferential rib portion 40 extending radially outwardly from bar portion 36 to provide a reinforcing or thickening rib for the ring. Ring 32 is expansibly and slideably received in the annular groove defined between support member flange portion 27 and support member base portion I As best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, one end of ring 32 is provided with an anchor portion 44. Anchor portion 44 comprises a generally radially outward extension of rib 40 and is slideably received in an aperture 46 in rim portion 26. The leading face 440 of anchor portion 44 is not normal with respect to a tangent to ring 32 at that point but rather assumes an acute angle with respect to such tangent so that the plane of face 44a passes to one side of the central canister axis. The adjacent face 46a of aperture 46 is similarly inclined with respect to a normal to the tangent at that point so that the confronting faces 44a-46a define coacting cam faces.

The other end of ring 32 is provided with a handle portion 48 comprising a radial arm extension of rib 40; handle portion 48 extends outwardly through an oversized aperture or slot 50 in rim portion 26 to dispose the free end 51 of the handle portion radially outwardly of the outer periphery of rim portion 26. Cam ramps 52 are formed along either side of slot 50 and a metal pin 56 pierces handle portion 48 for sliding engagement at its opposite ends with cams 52.

Support member 18 is formed with an integral handle 60 providing a carrying handle for the canister. Handle 60 has a generally U-shaped configuration and includes a forward or leading portion 62 extending generally radially outwardly from the rim portion adjacent aperture 50, a rearward or trailing portion 64 extending radially outwardly from the rim portion at a location thereon circumferentially spaced from leading portion 62, and a bridge portion 66 interconnecting the radially outer ends of portions 62 and 64 and spaced outwardly from the rim portion to define a handle opening 68 therebetween. Handle portion 62 is selectively cut away and sculptured to define an arcuate stop surface 70 adjacent the upper end of that handle portion. Handle bridge portion 66 is provided with an elongated slot 72 (FIGS. 2 and 6) which opens along one side edge of the bridge portion to allow insertion of a suitable label to identify the contents of the enclosed reel.

An elongated coil spring 74 resiliently interconnects ring 32 and support member 18. Spring 74 includes a hook end portion 76 received in a bias slot 78, opening in aperture 46, a main body coil portion wrapped externally around bar portion 36, and a hook end portion 84 embracing a lug 86 extending axially from ring rib 40. A hook 88 is formed integrally with rim portion 26 and extends outwardly therefrom at a location thereon spaced circumferentially from handle 60.

In operation, when it is desired to place a reel inside the canister 16, the operator grasps the canister by handle 60, passing his fingers through handle opening 68 and positioning his thumb adjacent ring handle portion 48. The thumb is now squeezed in to draw ring handle portion 48 toward canister handle portion 62 against the bias of spring 74. Since the other end of ring 32 is constrained against circumferential movement relative to rim portion 26, this movement of handle portion 48 has the effect of spreading the ends of ring 32 apart and thereby increasing the effective diameter ofthe ring.

Cam means 52-56 and 44a-46a coa ct during this end spreading movement to ensure that the ring expands uniformly and maintains a substantially concentric relationship to the central axis of the canister. Specifically, as ring handle portion 48 is squeezed toward canister handle portion 62, pin 56 rides gradually up on cam ramps 52 to gradually move the handle end portion of ring 32 radially outwardly with respect to rim portion 26; simultaneously, anchor portion 44 at the other end of the ring pushes against rim portion face 46a and rides gradually radially outwardly on that face by virtue of the radially outward force component generated by the inclined disposition of the interface of faces 44a46a. The ring is thus expanded uniformly and concentrically to a diameter to allow passage of the leading flange 12 of reel 10. After reel 10 is positioned within canister cavity 30, ring handle portion 48 is released to allow ring 32 to contract under the urging of spring 74; as the ring contracts, the radially inner stem portion 34 of ring 32 is seated firmly and positively between reel flanges 12 to preclude movement of the reel relative to the canister and annular faces 35 seat snugly against the external periphery at the reel flanges to position the ring concentrically on the reel. The ring is guided during its movement between expanded and contracted conditions by the sliding engagement of the opposite annular end faces of bar portion 36. The maximum expanded condition of ring 32 is determined by movement at rib 40 into abutting relationship with the inner peripheral outward face 26a of rim portion 26 and/or by the abutment of handle end 52 against stop surface 70. The minimum contracted condition of ring 32 is determined by the spring urged abutment of ring handle portion 48 against end wall 50a of slot 50.

The canister and enclosed reel may be stored in any of several known manners. For example, the canister may be hung by hook 88 from a suitable storage rod in which event handle 60 provides a convenient, readily graspable handle for removing the canister from storage and the label positioned in slot 72 is presented in a prominent front and center position where it may readily identify the contents of the tape reel stored in the canister. The canister with enclosed reel may also be stored in a stacked configuration with other canisters, or it may be stored on edge in a bottom supported position in a rack, cabinet or the like.

When it is desired to remove the reel from the canister, the canister is removed from its stored position and ring handle portion 48 is squeezed to expand the ring. The reel may now be removed by turning the canister upside down to allow the reel to drop out by gravity; or the ring may be pushed out of the canister by fingers thrust through access holes 90 in shell base portion 22.

The disclosed one-piece canister reel storage constructions will be seen to provide the advantages of both the prior art two-piece canister design and the prior art flexible band design. Specifically, support member 18 can be fabricated as a strong, rigid unit to securely enclose the tape reel and generally provide the superior reel protection, the superior reel hub support, the superior sealing, and the superior durability characteristics of the prior art two-piece canister; and yet the invention sealing construction is considerably less expensive than the complex latching mechanisms typically as sociated with two-piece canister designs. Further, the overall package width for storage space considerations need only be as wide as the combined thickness of wall 22, reel 10, and flange 27. In the two-piece canister designs, by contrast, the overall package thickness is equal to the combined thickness of the base wall of the first canister half, plus the reel width, plus the base wall of the second canister half. Since the base wall of the second canister half must, for constructional strength considerations, be considerably thicker than flange 27, the overall width of the prior art two-piece design is significantly thicker than the single piece invention design. Also, it has been common practice in prior art two-piece designs to draw the two halves together with a wedging or camming action. In order to avoid crushing damage to the reel during such wedging action due to a manufacturing tolerance stackup, it has been necessary to provide clearance at either side of the reel between the reel flange side faces and the confronting inner faces of the canister halves. This clearance is not necessary in the one-piece invention design since there is no such wedging action to be safeguarded against; accordingly, the invention one-piece design may be further thinner than the twopiece design by the amount of such clearance. In actual practice, it has been found that a canister according to the invention design can be made approximately 20 per cent thinner than a comparable canister of two-piece design.

It will further be apparent that the single piece canister construction of the invention simplifies storage and handling problems as compared to the two-piece canister design. Specifically, since the invention construction consists of only one canister half, the problem of locating compatible or matching halves of the two-piece design is eliminated and the number of parts which are required to be inventoried, stored, and handled in connection with a particular computer tape installation is reduced by 50 per cent.

Further, it has been found in actual practice that a tape reel may be inserted into and/or removed from the single piece invention canister in significantly less time than is required for insertion and/or removal with either the two-piece canister design or the flexible band design.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made in the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

lclaim: l. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spaced circular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub, said canister comprising:

A. a ring having an axial width at its radially inner peripheral portion approximating the internal axial distance between said flanges, B. a ring support member; and C. cooperating means on said ring support member and on said ring mounting said ring on said support member for expansible movement relative to said ring support member between I. a contracted condition in which the diameter of the said radially inner peripheral portion is less than that of said flanges, and

2. an expanded condition in which the diameter of said radially inner peripheral portion is greater than that of said flanges, whereby said ring may be expanded to allow passage of the leading flange of said reel and thereafter moved toward its contracted condition to seat said radially inner peripheral portion firmly between said flanges to thereby positively but readily releasably receive said reel within said canister.

2. A canister according to claim 1 and further including D. resilient means mounted on said support member and operative to continuously bias said ring member toward its said contracted condition, whereby said radially inner peripheral portion is seated positively between said flanges.

3. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spaced circular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub. said canister comprising A. a unitary support member including 1. a generally circular base portion,

2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side of said base portion and extending generally around the outer periphery ofsaid base portion, and

side of said base portion concentric with said rim portion to define an annular cavity between the hub and rim portions for receipt of a reel with the hollow reel hub fitted over said hub portion and the reel flanges disposed within said annular cavity;

B. a split ring positioned around the inner periphery of said rim portion having an axial width at its radially inner peripheral portion approximating the distance between said flanges; and

C. means on said rim portion mounting said ring thereon for expansible movement relative to said rim portion between a contracted condition in which the diameter of the said radially inner peripheral portion is less than that of said flanges and an expanded condition in which the diameter of said radially inner periphery portion is greater than that of said flanges, whereby said ring may be expanded to allow passage of the leading flange of said reel into said annular cavity and thereafter moved toward its contracted condition to seat said radially inner peripheral portion firmly between said flanges and thereby positively but readily releasably receive said reel within said canister.

4. A canister according to claim 3 and further including a central hollow hub portion upstanding from said one D. resilient means mounted on said support member and operative to continuously bias said split ring member toward its said contracted condition, whereby said radially inner peripheral portion is urged into positive seating engagement with and between said flanges.

5. A canister according to claim 3 wherein D. said split ring is generally T-shaped in transverse cross section with the stem portion of the T disposed on the radially inner side of the bar portion to constitute said radially inner peripheral portion and said bar portion extending axially to either side of said stem portion to define annular flange seats at the radially inner face of each such axial extension with each such annular flange seat having a diameter in the contracted condition of said ring somewhat less than the flange diameter; and

E. said ring mounting means includes means constantly urging said ring toward its contracted condition, whereby with the reel in stored position within said canister said stem portion is seated between said flanges to preclude axial movement of said reel within said canister and said annular flange seats against the outer peripheral edges of said flanges to position said ring concentrically on said reel.

6. A canister according to claim 5 wherein F. said support member further includes an annular, in-

wardly extending flange on the edge of said rim portion remote from said base portion;

G. said split ring is positioned between said flange and said base portion; and

H. said bar portion of said split ring has a width approximating the internal axial distance between said flange and said base portion so that the opposite annular end faces of said bar portion may slideably guide on said flange and base portion, respectively, during the movement of said ring between its expanded and contracted conditions.

7. A canister according to claim 3 wherein E. one end of said split ring is connected to said rim portion to inhibit circumferential movement of that end relative to said rim portion, and

F. the other end of said ring includes a handle portion extending outwardly from that end for manipulation by an operator so that the effective diameter of said ring may be selectively varied by selective movement of said handle portion.

8. A canister according to claim 7 and further including G. a spring member adapted to be stressed upon increase in diameter of said ring and operative upon release of said handle portion to bias said ring toward its contracted condition.

9. A canister according to claim 8 wherein H. said ring and an adjacent portion of said rim portion define cam means which coact upon movement of said handle portion in a diameter enlarging direction to positively move said ring radially outwardly with respect to said rim portion adjacent said cam means to control the diameter enlarging movement of said ring.

10. A canister according to claim 9 wherein I. said coacting cam means are defined on said ring adjacent said handle portion and on the adjacent portion of said rim portion.

11. A canister according to claim 7 wherein G. said handle portion extends radially outwardly from said ring other end through an oversized opening in said rim portion to a location radially outwardly of said rim portion.

12. A canister according to claim 11 and further including H. a canister handle defined at the outer periphery of said rim portion at a circumferential location thereon adjacent said ring handle portion.

13. A canister according to claim 12 wherein I. said canister handle comprises a carrying handle for said canister having a generally U-shaped configuration and including 1. a first portion extending radially outwardly from said rim portion adjacent said ring handle portion,

2. a second portion extending radially outwardly from said rim portion at a location thereon circumferentially spaced from said first portion; and

3. a third portion interconnecting the radially outer ends of said first and second portions and spaced outwardly from said rim portion to define an opening therebetween for accommodating the fingers of the hand of an operator whereby to position the thumb of that hand for convenient manipulation of said ring handle portion.

14. A canister according to claim 12 and further including 7 l. a hook member positioned on the external periphery of saidrim portion at a location thereon circumferentially spaced from said canister handle portion.

15. A canister according to claim 7 wherein G. a cam face is provided on said one ring end for coaction with the adjacent portion of said rim portion; and

H. said cam face lies in a plane which passes to one side of the central axis of said canister so that pressure of said one ring end against said rim portion in response to diameter enlarging movement of said ring generates a radially outward force component urging said one ring end radially outwardly.

16. A canister for storing a tape reel of' the type including spaced circular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub, said canister comprising A. a unitary support member including 1. a generally circular base portion, and 2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side of said base portion and extending generally around the outer periphery of said base portion;

B. a split ring positioned around the inner periphery of said rim portion having an axial. width at its radially inner peripheral portion approximating the distance between said flanges; and

C. means on said rim portion mounting said ring thereon for expansible movement relative to said rim portion between a contracted condition in which the diameter of the said radially inner peripheral portion is less than that of said flanges and an expanded condition in which the diameter of said radially inner peripheral portion is greater than that of said flanges, whereby said ring maybe expanded to allow passage of the leading flange of said reel and thereafter moved toward its contracted condition to seat said radially inner peripheral portion firmly between said flanges and thereby positively but readily releasably receive said reel within said canister.

i l =0 III 

1. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spaced circular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub, said canister comprising: A. a ring having an axial width at its radially inner peripheral portion approximating the internal axial distance between said flanges, B. a ring support member; and C. cooperating means on said ring support member and on said ring mounting said ring on said support member for expansible movement relative to said ring support member between
 1. a contracted condition in which the diameter of the said radially inner peripheral portion is less than that of said flanges, and
 2. an expanded condition in which the diameter of said radially inner peripheral portion is greater than that of said flanges, whereby said ring may be expanded to allow passage of the leading flange of said reel and thereafter moved toward its contracted condition to seat said radially inner peripheral portion firmly between said flanges to thereby positively but readily releasably receive said reel within said canister.
 2. an expanded condition in which the diameter of said radially inner peripheral portion is greater than that of said flanges, whereby said ring may be expanded to allow passage of the leading flange of said reel and thereafter moved toward its contracted condition to seat said radially inner peripheral portion firmly between said flanges to thereby positively but readily releasably receive said reel within said canister.
 2. A canister according to claim 1 and further including D. resilient means mounted on said support member and operative to continuously bias said ring member toward its said contracted condition, whereby said radially inner peripheral portion is seated positively between said flanges.
 2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side of said base portion and extending generally around the outer periphery of said base portion; B. a split ring positioned around the inner periphery of said rim portion having an axial width at its radially inner peripheral portion approximating the distance between said flanges; and C. means on said rim portion mounting said ring thereon for expansible movement relative to said rim portion between a contracted condition in which the diameter of the said radially inner peripheral portion is less than that of said flanges and an expanded condition in which the diameter of said radially inner peripheral portion is greater than that of said flanges, whereby said ring may be expanded to allow passage of the leading flange of said reel and thereafter moved toward its contracted condition to seat said radially inner peripheral portion firmly between said flanges and thereby positively but readily releAsably receive said reel within said canister.
 2. a second portion extending radially outwardly from said rim portion at a location thereon circumferentially spaced from said first portion; and
 2. an annular rim portion upstanding from one side of said base portion and extending generally around the outer periphery of said base portion, and
 3. a central hollow hub portion upstanding from said one side of said base portion concentric with said rim portion to define an annular cavity between the hub and rim portions for receipt of a reel with the hollow reel hub fitted over said hub portion and the reel flanges disposed within said annular cavity; B. a split ring positioned around the inner periphery of said rim portion having an axial width at its radially inner peripheral portion approximating the distance between said flanges; and C. means on said rim portion mounting said ring thereon for expansible movement relative to said rim portion between a contracted condition in which the diameter of the said radially inner peripheral portion is less than that of said flanges and an expanded condition in which the diameter of said radially inner periphery portion is greater than that of said flanges, whereby said ring may be expanded to allow passage of the leading flange of said reel into said annular cavity and thereafter moved toward its contracted condition to seat said radially inner peripheral portion firmly between said flanges and thereby positively but readily releasably receive said reel within said canister.
 3. a third portion interconnecting the radially outer ends of said first and second portions and spaced outwardly from said rim portion to define an opening therebetween for accommodating the fingers of the hand of an operator whereby to position the thumb of that hand for convenient manipulation of said ring handle portion.
 3. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spaced circular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub, said canister comprising A. a unitary support member including
 4. A canister according to claim 3 and further including D. resilient means mounted on said support member and operative to continuously bias said split ring member toward its said contracted condition, whereby said radially inner peripheral portion is urged into positive seating engagement with and between said flanges.
 5. A canister according to claim 3 wherein D. said split ring is generally T-shaped in transverse cross section with the stem portion of the T disposed on the radially inner side of the bar portion to constitute said radially inner peripheral portion and said bar portion extending axially to either side of said stem portion to define annular flange seats at the radially inner face of each such axial extension with each such annular flange seat having a diameter in the contracted condition of said ring somewhat less than the flange diameter; and E. said ring mounting means includes means constantly urging said ring toward its contracted condition, whereby with the reel in stored position within said canister said stem portion is seated between said flanges to preclude axial movement of said reel within said canister and said annular flange seats against the outer peripheral edges of said flanges to position said ring concentrically on said reel.
 6. A canister according to claim 5 wherein F. said support member further includes an annular, inwardly extending flange on the edge of said rim portion remote from said base portion; G. said split ring is positioned between said flange and said base portion; and H. said bar portion of said split ring has a width approximating the internal axial distance between said flange and said base portion so that the opposite annular end faces of said bar portion may slideably guide on said flange and base portion, respectively, during the movement of said ring between its expanded and contracted conditions.
 7. A canister according to claim 3 wherein E. one end of said split ring is connected to said rim portion to inhibit circumferential movement of that end relative to said rim portion, and F. the other end of said ring includes a handle portion extending outwardly from that end for manipulation by an operator so that the effective diameter of said ring may be selectively varied by selective movement of said handle portion.
 8. A canister according to claim 7 and further including G. a spring member adapted to be stressed upon increase in diameter of said ring and operative upon release of said handle portion to bias said ring toward its contracted condition.
 9. A canister according to claim 8 wherein H. said ring and an adjacent portion of said rim portion define cam means which coact upon movement of said handle portion in a diameter enlarging direction to positively move said ring radially outwardly with respect to said rim portion adjacent said cam means to control the diameter enlarging movement of said ring.
 10. A canister according to claim 9 wherein I. said coacting cam means are defined on said ring adjacent said handle portion and on the adjacent portion of said rim portion.
 11. A canister according to claim 7 wherein G. said handle portion extends radially outwardly from said ring other end through an oversized opening in said rim portion to a location radially outwardly of said rim portion.
 12. A canister according to claim 11 and further including H. a canister handle defined at the outer periphery of said rim portion at a circumferential location thereon adjacent said ring handle portion.
 13. A canister according to claim 12 wherein I. said canister handle comprises a carrying handle for said canister having a generally U-shaped configuration and including
 14. A canister according to claim 12 and further including I. a hook member positioned on the external periphery of said rim portion at a location thereon circumferentially spaced from said canister handle portion.
 15. A canister according to claim 7 wherein G. a cam face is provided on said one ring end for coaction with the adjacent portion of said rim portion; and H. said cam face lies in a plane which passes to one side of the central axis of said canister so that pressure of said one ring end against said rim portion in response to diameter enlarging movement of said ring generates a radially outward force component urging said one ring end radially outwardly.
 16. A canister for storing a tape reel of the type including spaced circular flanges interconnected by a hollow central hub, said canister comprising A. a unitary support member including 